Careers

New York State offers competitive salaries and attractive benefits. For general information about employment with New York State and how to apply for a Civil Service Examination, please visit the Department of Civil Service.

Executive Order No. 161 ensures pay equity for applicants for employment by prohibiting state entities from asking for the salary history, wages, benefits and other forms of payment an applicant for employment might have received from a former employer.

New York State is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the State of New York to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, creed/religion, disability, national origin, sex/gender, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, familial status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other category protected by law, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception. Please see New York State's Equal Employment Opportunity Rights and Responsibilities handbook (PDF) for more information.

Resource for Job Seekers

NYS Department of Labor Online Resources for Career Development

It is the policy of the Waterfront Commission to provide all qualified persons with equal opportunity in employment and to participate in and receive all the benefits, services, programs and activities of the Commission. Reasonable accommodations will be provided when appropriate to qualified persons with disabilities as are necessary to provide such equal opportunity.

Current employment opportunities at the Waterfront Commission:

Discover whether public service is right for you!

In 2023-2024, the Commission hosted law school students and recent graduates from Brooklyn Law School, Cardozo School of Law, CUNY School of Law, Fordham University Law School, Roger Williams University School of Law and St. John’s University School of Law.  We also hosted undergraduate students from Binghamton University, Columbia University, and Cornell University (School of Industrial and Labor Relations).  In the summer, the Commission also hosted students selected through the Thurgood Marshall Internship Program of the New York City Bar Association.

Testimonials:

This organization is awesome…. I truly learned a lot and grew as a law student.

- Nathanial Trinidad (Roger Williams University School of Law ’25)

“I was very happy with the internship.... It covers criminal, civil, maritime, and governmental laws. It allows you to also develop a method of research that you can carry with you to other internships. I believe that it is also an engaging internship where you can connect with other students from local law schools that will allow you to make networking connections that will follow you.”

- Dina Khedr (Brooklyn Law School ’24)

“I really appreciated the encouraging and safe environment which made me feel comfortable to ask questions and grow…. The variety of activities along with a positive and fun learning environment made this internship very special.”

- Kamala Karuppiah (Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations ’26)

Law School Internships

Our law school internship programs host students during the summer, fall, and spring semesters at our office in lower Manhattan. Supervised by mentoring attorneys, interns draft reports, conduct legal research, participate in depositions, attend educational lectures and support administrative hearings of port workers who may have associated with organized crime figures, committed crimes, or otherwise violated waterfront labor laws.

If you are interested in an internship, contact your law school career counselor and email [email protected] for information about when and how to apply.

Pre-Law College Internships

Each year, various academic institutions place students at the Commission for specialized internship and educational programs.  Some notable programs include:

• Binghamton University Harpur Law Council – provides stipends and academic credits for high-achieving juniors or seniors to intern at the Commission during the summer.
• Columbia University Exploration Externship – introduces freshmen to the legal profession by placing them at the Commission during their first spring break.
• Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) – places students at the Commission for assignments during the summer and winter.

The Commission has also hosted pre-law college students from numerous other schools. Contact your school's career center for more information.

High School Internships

Thurgood Marshall High School Internship Program.  The New York City Bar Association Office for Diversity & Inclusion places diverse New York City public high school students with the Commission during the summer as part of the Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program. This program runs annually from April through August.  Selected students receive mentoring and general research assignments to help them develop as young professionals and expose them to the legal profession. They work alongside and receive valuable advice from college and law school student interns.

For more on the Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program, visit Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program | New York City Bar Association (nycbar.org).

Full-Semester Fellowships

New York Regulatory and Business Externship. This program places third-year law students from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law with the Commission as part of a semester-long clinical experience in New York City.  Students receive:

• 12 academic credits to spend 15 full weeks in the fall or spring at where they learn first-hand about the Commission’s regulatory work in the Port of New York.
• Experiential training conducting depositions, drafting reports, and supporting administrative hearings that will allow a more successful transition to practice in their post-graduate careers.

For more information on this program, visit New York Regulatory and Business Externship - WashULaw (wustl.edu)

Post-Graduate Fellowships

Looking for the opportunity to ease your transition into the legal profession?  Law schools are offering one or two-year postgraduate fellowships which give fellows invaluable opportunities to receive practical experience and mentoring from seasoned attorneys.  As part of these programs, fellows either receive school funding or serve as volunteer attorneys for special projects throughout the year.

For more information, please contact your school's career center and email  [email protected]